With 137 votes in favour, 12 against and 17 abstentions, the UN General Assembly approved a resolution condemning the Bashar al Assad regime’s repression in Syria. After vetoing twice in the Security Council, Russia and China voted against the text presented by Egypt in representation of the Arab countries and 70 other “co-sponsors”. North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Syria and Cuba also voted no.
The resolution approved today by the General Assembly does not have the binding power of a Security Council resolution. Nevertheless, as Minister Giulio Terzi asserted, “it is an important signal regarding the role that the United Nations and the Arab League can and must play in seeking a solution to the critical situation in Syria”.“This strong signal from the highest multilateral organisation must be followed up by concrete actions”, Terzi added, underlining that Italy “is intensifying its efforts in support of the Arab League”, and the efforts aimed “at encouraging the unification of Syrian opposition forces”, ahead of the diplomatic meetings scheduled for the coming days the in Rome of the 5+5 and the FOROMED, and in Tunisia of the Friends of Syria.
“With yesterday’s vote”, Terzi continued, “the international community has proven that it is possible to mobilise against a regime that has lost all credibility and legitimacy. Italy will continue, in close linkage with international partners and regional actors, to uphold its pledge to convince Syria to halt the unacceptable human rights violations and launch a political process that ensures a peaceful transition to democracy and restores to the Syrian people the freedom to decide on their own future”.
